WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a member of  the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, praised passage of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2007 (NAHASDA) to help simplify federal housing assistance for Native Americans by condensing several programs into a single block grant program. Cantwell is an original co-sponsor of the NAHASDA because of her concerns with the lack of and inadequacy of housing for tribal members in Washington state and across the country. Washington state tribes have benefited significantly from NAHASDA in the past and the additional technical assistance and flexibility provided by this legislation is a big win for Washington state.

 

“Making sure there is enough safe housing for all Americans is critically important,” said Cantwell. “NAHASDA has been a significant positive step in addressing the issue of quality and quantity of housing for tribes and I am encouraged that the version we passed not only makes the program more efficient and effective, but provides tribes with greater control over their own housing decisions.”

 

The 2007 version of NAHASDA creates a new initiative for Self-Determined Housing Activities that would allow recipients of grants to be more creative with the use of granted funds for housing purposes and reduce Housing and Urban Development (HUD) control.  In addition, this re-authorization expands the list of activities that funds can be used for without prior HUD approval. This now includes maintenance and rehabilitation, infrastructure and mold control, as well as expands multi-purpose communal spaces like day cares, laundromats, and community centers.  

 

While the national average home ownership rate is over 67 percent, the home ownership rate in Indian Country is fewer than 33.  Perhaps even more disturbing is the fact that while only 1.2 percent of homes in the general population are without complete plumbing, 11.7 percent of American Indian households are without complete plumbing.  Many Native Americans in Washington are struggling to find affordable, safe housing. Cantwell has been a strong supporter of this bill and will continue to show her support and work for the needs of American Indians in Washington state.